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The Somaiya Survival Manual • Chapter 15

Life After Somaiya

Pages 211-220

Life After Somaiya

The Transition

One day, you're stressing about internals. The next, you're an alumnus.

It hits different:

  • The campus you complained about becomes nostalgic
  • The canteen food you mocked becomes missed
  • The friends you saw daily become texts and calls
  • The routine you hated becomes the freedom you're scared of

What Comes Next

For Those Getting Placed

  • First job is a learning curve
  • Work culture is different from college
  • Your skills matter more than your degree now
  • Build relationships with colleagues
  • Keep learning—learning stops, growth stops

For Those Going for Higher Studies

  • Application season is brutal
  • GRE/GMAT/CAT prep is intense
  • Abroad or India—both are valid
  • The master's is a means, not the end
  • Stay connected with undergraduate friends

For Those Starting Something

  • Entrepreneurship is glorified but hard
  • Fail fast, learn faster
  • Your network is your net worth
  • Keep a backup plan
  • The campus resources are gone—build new ones

For Those Still Figuring Out

  • It's okay to not have a plan
  • Take a gap year if needed
  • Explore before committing
  • Talk to alumni in different paths
  • Comparison will kill you—avoid it

The Alumni Network

Your biggest post-graduation asset:

  • LinkedIn connections with batchmates
  • WhatsApp groups (yes, they become useful)
  • Alumni associations
  • Batch reunions (attend them)
  • Mentor-mentee relationships

How to Use It

  • Reach out for advice
  • Ask for referrals (politely)
  • Offer help to juniors
  • Give back when you can
  • Keep relationships warm

What You'll Miss

The Obvious

  • Friends nearby
  • Predictable routine
  • Academic structure
  • Campus events
  • Canteen hangouts

The Unexpected

  • Bunking without consequences
  • Spontaneous plans
  • Low responsibility
  • Free time (what's that?)
  • The feeling of possibility

What You'll Gain

The Obvious

  • Money (hopefully)
  • Independence
  • New experiences
  • Professional growth

The Unexpected

  • Appreciation for college
  • Understanding of parents
  • Self-reliance
  • Clearer values
  • Knowing who your real friends are

Staying Connected

With Batchmates

  • Batch trip before dispersing
  • Regular video call tradition
  • Milestone celebrations together
  • Marriage attendance (it's starting)

With College

  • Alumni events
  • Fest visits
  • Guest lectures
  • Mentoring juniors
  • Donations when possible

With Yourself

  • Remember who you were
  • Track how far you've come
  • Keep college memorabilia
  • Revisit photos and videos

Life Lessons from College

What Somaiya actually taught you:

  1. Adaptability: You survived the system
  2. Networking: You built relationships
  3. Time Management: You juggled multiple commitments
  4. Resilience: You faced failures and continued
  5. Self-awareness: You discovered your strengths
  6. Independence: You made your own decisions

The Final Word

College ends. Life begins.

But the lessons stay:

  • The friends who showed up
  • The skills you built
  • The memories you made
  • The person you became

Somaiya is a chapter, not the story. Write the rest well.

Thank you for reading The Somaiya Survival Manual.

You've survived orientation. You've survived exams. You've survived placements. Now survive life.

And maybe, someday, write your own survival guide for the next generation.

Until then—

Keep Surviving. Keep Thriving. Keep Growing.

— Kunal Chheda

P.S. The Survival Manual might end here, but your story is just getting started. Make it worth reading.